Page 106 of Summer Holiday Lifeline

Myles glanced to Kreed, who nodded.

“But you’ll be back at the Cabin for curfew,” Ozzy said.

Wyatt grinned. “I will. Midnight. I know. I’ll be there.”

“And you can help out in the kitchen until Shelly’s tucked into bed.” Ozzy’s tone wasn’t harsh, but it didn’t leave room for argument, either.

“Sure.” He grabbed up his own and Jet’s plates. “Happy to.”

Ozzy narrowed his eyes. “If Kreed and Myles are sure…”

“What are you going to watch?” Lucy asked. “I haven’t stopped long enough to watch a movie in ages.” She, too, rose and gathered napkins, as though she hadn’t possibly just offered the very best solution to Ozzy’s unease at letting the new addition free rein of the Oaks.

“Heart Stopper,” Wyatt said. He glanced around the table, uneasy, his cheeks reddening. “I never had a chance to watch the first season before… Well, I just want to see it. The comic was good.” He smiled at Lucy. “You guys want to watch too?”

“I haven’t seen it. Jake?”

Jake shrugged. “Sure. I like TV.”

Wyatt’s grin was electric, and Ozzy relented. “Just remember. Midnight. There are rules, and being here doesn’t change them.”

“I know. I’ll be home on time.” He stopped abruptly, cheeks even redder. “I mean⁠—”

“Good. Tris?” Ozzy stood up and held out his hand. “Let’s go finish up clearing out his room.”

“Then we’re watching Heart Stopper too,” Tris said as they headed for the kitchen and the back door.

“We’ve seen it, like, three times.”

“Still good,” Tris said.

Whatever Ozzy grumbled back at him faded as the kitchen door swung shut behind them.

“You guys are all being very nice,” Wyatt said to the room in general. “I’m not going to screw this up.”

“We know.” Myles spoke up for the first time since greeting him earlier. He squeezed Wyatt’s shoulder.

“You especially. I’m sorry they hurt you.”

Myles turned Wyatt’s face towards the light over the table. He was already sporting a black eye as well, and bruises on his left cheek. “Better me than you. Now.” He yawned as he groped for his own dishes, then pushed his chair under the table, obviously using it to find his balance before he stepped away. “Let’s get this cleared up.”

Jet nudged Wyatt with a shoulder, as he was already carrying a sleepy Shelly. “I’ll come down and get you when she’s asleep. It won’t take long.” They fist-bumped, and Jet turned to Myles as Wyatt followed Ozzy and Tris through the kitchen door. “You sleeping down here?”

“I’ll come up if you need.”

Jet huffed. “Not to be a jerk, but can you do the stairs?”

“If you want me to, I will.”

Hefting Shelly to one hip, Jet huffed. “I’m sure.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t answer your call, Jet. I⁠—”

“Wyatt told me what happened.” He drew his brows in. “I don’t love that you went in fists flying, but I get why you thought you had to.”

“And I’m not blind to the fact I shouldn’t have.”

“So.” Jet grimaced. “Fine. We’re good. For now.” He reached past Steven to one-arm-hug his uncle. “We’ll be okay. Stay down here. We know where you are, and you’ll harsh our vibe anyway.”